Advisors travel abroad to better understand international education experiences

January 7, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 9)
Article by Annie Pettit

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Six academic advisors traveled to Spain last semester to better understand the study abroad experience and to promote international education to students.

The delegation was led by Padnos International Center staff Meaghann Smith, study abroad advisor, and Andres Ortiz-Estevez, coordinator of international student services.

They visited GVSU's exchange partner institution, Carlos III in Madrid, along with study abroad programs and campuses in Málaga and Seville.

“This trip aimed to provide staff members with valuable experiences for personal and professional development while exploring the rich culture and educational opportunities in Spain,” Ortiz-Estevez said.

Shannon Zakalik, an academic advisor at the Seidman College of Business, said her goal for the trip was to relay her first-hand experiences to students. 

“I knew this trip would help me relate to students about the interactions and encounters they will have abroad,” Zakalik said. “This experience has heightened my understanding of what our current international students navigate daily here at Grand Valley.”

Moving forward, Ortiz-Estevez said trips like this can strengthen someone's cultural awareness. “By traveling and engaging with different educational models, faculty and staff bring back ideas that can improve international programs, making GVSU a more resourceful place for students from around the world,” he said.

Zakalik said what she learned from her time in Spain will not be soon forgotten. 

“It was beneficial to be pushed outside of my comfort zone and experience a culture outside of my daily norm,” she said. “I now have the confidence to identify both exchange and provider programs that would be well suited for students within the Seidman College of Business.”

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